Decatur

Personal Injury Attorneys Counseling Victims in Decatur and Surrounding Areas

People who have been injured in a workplace accident or a motor vehicle collision, among other incidents, have legal rights. The skilled personal injury lawyers at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca have been helping people throughout Illinois for decades, and we are thoroughly experienced in representing victims in a wide range of legal matters. As the largest city and the county seat of Macon County, Decatur has an estimated population of over 70,000 residents. Three hours southwest of Chicago, it is home to production facilities such as Caterpillar, Tate & Lyle, and Mueller Company. People in need of legal assistance can rely on the comprehensive and vigorous legal representation offered by our Decatur personal injury lawyers. We also can represent people in workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability claims.

Car Accidents and Other Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury claims provide a means for victims to recover monetary damages as compensation for the harm caused in an accident. These damages are intended to place the victim in the position in which they would be had the accident not occurred. Economic and noneconomic damages range from compensation for emotional pain and suffering to the costs of medical bills, lost wages from work, and property damage caused in an accident. The types of accidents that provide a basis for personal injury claims include motor vehicle collisions, slip and falls on property, encounters with defective products, and negligence by medical providers.

As a plaintiff in a personal injury claim, the victim must prove that their injuries were caused by the negligence of the defendant. Unlike in workers’ compensation claims, which are no-fault, the victim must set forth evidence that the defendant breached a duty of care and that this breach directly led to their injuries. Similar to workers’ compensation cases, causation is central to a successful claim. There must be a direct relationship between the defendant’s breached duty of care and the victim’s injuries. An example would be a driver’s failure to properly stop at a stop sign. This breaches the duty to yield when required by traffic rules, and the driver probably would be held responsible for damages if a crash results.

Workers’ Compensation

After being hurt at work, workers have the right to get workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are typically paid by their employer’s insurance company, and the worker need not prove fault for a claim to be successful. Filing a claim for workers’ compensation allows injured employees and their families to ease the financial pressure and emotional stress that follow a work-related injury. We can help you maintain your relationship with your employer while you receive payment for medical expenses, lost wages from work, and disability benefits.

As is set forth by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (IWCA), employees can be compensated for a range of injuries, including mental and emotional distress, as well as physical conditions and aggravations of pre-existing conditions. Proving eligibility for workers’ compensation requires showing that an injury or medical condition was suffered in the course and scope of employment. In most cases, successful claims require demonstrating causation; compensable injuries must have been suffered at work or caused by workplace conditions.

Social Security Disability

Social Security Disability benefits are available to individuals who are suffering from illnesses or injuries and are unable to work. People seeking Social Security benefits may find that their initial claim for benefits is denied, and subsequently they may face reconsideration and appeals. It is common for initial applications for benefits to to be denied, and this does not necessarily mean that a claim is not valid.

Meeting the definition of a disability requires showing that a severe physical or mental impairment has resulted in limitations that prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity, and these limitations have lasted or will last at least 12 months. The disabilities that may be covered by Social Security include both mental and physical ailments. Medical records that support a claim for disability benefits are critical to a successful claim, since they demonstrate an inability to work.

Discuss Your Case with a Personal Injury Lawyer in the Decatur Area

Victims in need of a skilled lawyer will receive aggressive yet compassionate legal representation from the personal injury and workers’ compensation attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca. We provide strong advocacy on behalf of people seeking benefits or compensation, whether an injury has been caused at work or has resulted from a devastating car crash or another accident. If you or someone close to you needs a Decatur personal injury attorney, our firm can assist. To learn more about your rights, call 312-724-5846 or reach us online to schedule a free appointment.

Decatur Car Accidents

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